PERC 2024 Abstract Detail Page
Previous Page | New Search | Browse All
| Abstract Title: | A pilot study on tutorials for the metric in general relativity |
|---|---|
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Abstract: | The metric tensor is a key concept in general relativity, necessary to describe black holes, gravitational waves, the expanding universe, and other interesting and important phenomena. Unfortunately, it is usually presented either very superficially or in a highly technical and mathematical way. I created tutorials to help students develop a deeper understanding of the metric and a greater facility with its use, focusing on upper-division undergraduate students. Analysis of student behavior when working with the tutorials, combined with post-instruction interviews and testing with a novel metric, demonstrate that these tutorials show promise to be effective for introducing students to general relativity. In this pilot study the tutorials increased conceptual understanding, developed mathematical facility, and instilled the attitude that general relativity is an approachable subject. |
| Session Time: | Poster Session 2 |
| Poster Number: | B61 |
| Contributed Paper Record: | Contributed Paper Information |
| Contributed Paper Download: | Download Contributed Paper |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
David Syphers Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA 99004 |
